Specimen radiography system comprising cabinet and a specimen drawer positionable by a controller in the cabinet

ABSTRACT

A specimen radiography system may include a controller and a cabinet. The cabinet may include an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, and a specimen drawer disposed between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector. The specimen drawer may be automatically positionable along a vertical axis between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/347,570, filed May 3, 2019, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/417,598, filed Nov. 4,2016, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to a specimen radiography system, andmore particularly to the configuration and operation of the specimenradiography system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radiography systems are used to scan tissue specimens for rapiddiagnosis in medical environments such as operating rooms and clinics.Users need to be able to quickly access such systems and obtain desiredimages for diagnoses. Often, more than one image may be desired. Incurrent systems, tissue specimens are manually placed and moved toparticular locations in order to obtain desired magnifications andplacement within the system. Such manual techniques are cumbersome,time-consuming, and prone to error (such as the specimen moving whileplacing it in various positions within the system). Additionally,because manual placement and movement of the specimen is required by theuser, the user is typically required to reach inside the system and maybe uncomfortably positioned, particularly if specimen placement is nearthe ground.

It is with respect to these and other considerations that the presentimprovements may be useful.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended asan aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, the present invention comprises a specimen radiographysystem, comprising a controller and a cabinet operably connected to thecontroller. The cabinet comprises an x-ray source, an x-ray detector anda specimen drawer disposed between the x-ray source and the x-raydetector. In some embodiments, the specimen drawer is automaticallypositionable along a vertical axis between the x-ray source and thex-ray detector.

In one embodiment, the specimen drawer is extendable from the cabinetfor receiving a specimen and the specimen drawer is rotatable. Thespecimen drawer can be configured to extend from the cabinet at anergonomic position relative to a user. In another embodiment, thecabinet is portable and includes a power supply. The system can furthercomprise a display. In one embodiment, the specimen drawer is sealed,the specimen drawer being at least one of leak-proof, washable, andsterilizable. The specimen drawer can be formed of a generallyradiolucent material. In a further embodiment, the x-ray source isdisposed above the x-ray detector along the vertical axis and the x-raydetector is disposed above the x-ray source along the vertical axis. Inan embodiment, the specimen drawer is configured to align with a focalpoint of the x-ray source.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to at least one ofautomatically position and rotate the specimen drawer in response to aninput received by a user interface. In addition, the specimen drawer canbe configured to be extendable from and retractable within the cabinet.The specimen drawer can further include a lid.

In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method of scanninga specimen in a specimen radiography system including a controller. Incertain embodiments, the method comprises the steps of extending aspecimen drawer from a cabinet, placing a specimen within the extendedspecimen drawer, positioning the specimen drawer along a vertical axisin the cabinet, the specimen drawer movable between an x-ray source andan x-ray detector, imaging the specimen with the x-ray source and thex-ray detector; and displaying the specimen image on a display screen.

In one embodiment, the x-ray source is disposed above the x-raydetector. In another embodiment, the x-ray detector is disposed abovethe x-ray source. The method may further comprise receiving informationvia a user interface to direct the specimen drawer between the x-raysource and the x-ray detector within the cabinet. And the method mayfurther comprise, positing the specimen drawer along the vertical axisbetween the x-ray source and the x-ray detector in response to amagnification setting entered by a user interface. In one embodiment,the method includes comprising rotating the specimen drawer in responseto a position setting received by a user interface. In the method, thespecimen drawer aligns with a focal point of the x-ray source.

In another aspect, a specimen radiography system comprises a controller,and a cabinet. The cabinet comprises an x-ray source connected to thecontroller, an x-ray detector disposed opposite the x-ray source whichmay further be connected to the controller. In cabinet further comprisesa specimen drawer disposed between the x-ray source and the x-raydetector, the specimen drawer including a specimen container including aspecimen excised from a patient. The specimen drawer may or may not beconnected to a controller. The x-ray source, the x-ray detector, and thespecimen container are positioned in a first position and image thespecimen container to acquire a first image and wherein the x-raysource, the x-ray detector and the specimen container are positioned ina second position to acquire a second image, and wherein the first imageand the second image are viewed on a display.

In one embodiment, the x-ray source is disposed above the x-raydetector. The x-ray source can be rotated at an angle relative to avertical central axis of the cabinet. The specimen container can berotated at an angle relative to the vertical central axis. The specimencontainer can rotated at a first angle relative to the vertical centralaxis and the x-ray source is rotated at a second angle relative to avertical central axis. In one example, the first angle and the secondangle are different. In one embodiment, the first position includes thespecimen container rotated to a positive angle and the x-ray sourcerotated to a negative and the second position includes the specimencontainer rotated to negative angle and the x-ray source rotated to apositive angle and the x-ray detector is stationary.

In one example, the first position includes the specimen containerrotated to positive 15 degrees and the x-ray source rotated to negative30 degrees and the second position includes the specimen containerrotated to negative 15 degrees and the x-ray source rotated to positive30 degrees.

In another embodiment, the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are bothrotated relative to a vertical axis central of the cabinet. In oneexample, the first position includes the x-ray source rotated to anegative angle and the second position includes the x-ray source rotatedto a positive angle and the specimen container remains stationary. Thefirst position may include the x-ray source rotated to negative 45degrees and the second position includes the x-ray source rotated topositive 45 degrees.

In another embodiment, the first position includes the x-ray sourcerotated to a negative angle and the second position includes the x-raysource rotated to a positive angle and the specimen container remainsstationary. In one example, the first position includes the x-ray sourcerotated to negative 45 degrees and the second position includes thex-ray source rotated to positive 45 degrees.

In another embodiment, the first position includes the x-ray sourcerotated to a zero angle and the second position includes the x-raysource rotated to a 90 degree angle and the specimen container remainsstationary. In one example, the first position includes the x-ray sourcerotated to a zero angle and the second position includes the x-raysource rotated to a 90 degree angle and the specimen container moveshorizontally toward the x-ray detector.

In another embodiment, the system further comprises a second x-raysource and a second x-ray detector. In one example, the second x-raysource is disposed orthogonal to the first x-ray source and the secondx-ray detector is disposed orthogonal to the first x-ray detector. Inone example, the first position includes the specimen container placedcentrally between the first and second x-ray detectors and the first andsecond x-ray sources. The second position may include the specimencontainer moved along a horizontal axis to be proximal to the seconddetector.

In another aspect, a method of scanning a specimen in a specimenradiography system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps ofimaging the specimen with the x-ray source and the x-ray detector at afirst position and storing a first image, imaging the specimen with thex-ray source and the x-ray detector at a second position and storing asecond image, processing the first and the second image, and displayingthe first and second specimen image on a display screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, one or more embodiments of the disclosed device willnow be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an existing specimenradiography system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a specimen radiography systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrate a front view of a portion of the specimen radiographysystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a cabinet of a specimenradiography system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of scanning a specimen ina specimen radiography system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the specimen within a traditional specimenradiography system.

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate a perspective view of a cabinet of a specimenradiography system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate a view of the specimen container within aspecimen radiography system according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a perspective view of a cabinet of a specimenradiography system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6D and 6E illustrate a perspective view of a cabinet of a specimenradiography system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6F and 6G illustrate a perspective view of a cabinet of a specimenradiography system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of scanning a specimen ina specimen radiography system according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several exemplaryembodiments are shown. The subject matter of the present disclosure,however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and willfully convey the scope of the subject matter to thoseskilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

Referring to FIG. 1, an existing specimen radiography system 100 isshown. A cabinet 105 may be disposed on a portable stand 110. Thespecimen radiography system 100 may further include a controller 115, anon-transitory storage medium, a processor, a display 120 and userinterface 125, e.g., a computer keyboard and/or mouse, or otherinformation entry devices operably connected to each other. Inembodiments, the controller 115 may be separate from the cabinet 105.

The cabinet 105 may be configured for scanning tissue specimens, e.g.,by radiography. A specimen may be manually placed in an enclosed space130 of the cabinet 105 for scanning. The enclosed space 130 may haveadjustable shelves or other manual placement means for disposing thespecimen at a different height H in the cabinet 105. The placement ofthe specimen in the enclosed space 130 of the cabinet 105 is related toa magnification of the image shown on the display 120, in that an x-raysource 135 and an x-ray detector 140 are disposed at opposite ends ofthe cabinet 105. A user may scan the specimen at a first magnificationby placing the specimen at a selected height H in the enclosed space 130of the cabinet 105. If the user desires to adjust the magnification ofthe scanned specimen, the user must manually adjust the height of thespecimen within the cabinet 105 before scanning. This results inadditional time needed to acquire desired images, and manual adjustmentof the specimen between each scan. The user must also bend to the levelof the cabinet 105 to properly adjust the specimen in between scans, andthe cabinet 105 on the stand 110 may result in a top-heavy system.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a radiography scanning system 200 according toan embodiment of the present invention is shown. The radiographyscanning system 200 may include a cabinet 205, with an x-ray source 230and an x-ray detector 235. The x-ray detector 235 may be disposedvertically above the x-ray source 230. In an embodiment, the x-raydetector 235 is disposed at a top of the cabinet 205, and the x-raysource 230 is disposed at a base 260 of the cabinet 205. It isadvantageous to place the x-ray source 230 lower in the cabinet 205 toprovide stability of the cabinet 205, by lowering the center of gravity.It is also envisioned that the x-ray source 230 may be disposedvertically above the x-ray detector 235, as shown in the radiographyscanning system 300 of FIG. 3. It is advantageous to position the x-raysource 230 above the x-ray detector 235 from producing clearer images.Placement of the x-ray source 230 and the x-ray detector 235 mayinteract with other cabinet components, e.g., the controller 220 and thepower supply 225. In order to minimize interferences with thesecomponents, shielding these other cabinet components from the x-raydetector 235 and/or the x-ray source 230 may be necessary. It shouldalso be understood that altering the position of the x-ray source 230and the x-ray detector 235 may result in other cabinet components alsobeing located in different areas of the cabinet 205. In anyconfiguration, the x-ray source 230 and the x-ray detector 235 arealigned along a vertical axis 240, so that the x-ray detector 235 mayreceive x-rays from the x-ray source 230.

The radiography scanning system 200 may further include a display 210, auser interface 215, a controller 220, and a power supply 225 operablyconnected to each other. In an embodiment, the controller 220 and thepower supply 225 may be enclosed within a housing 255 of the cabinet205. In an embodiment the controller 220 and/or power supply 225 may bedisposed at the base 260 of the cabinet 205. The cabinet 205 may includeprotection of the controller 220 and the power supply 225 from radiationof the x-ray source 230. In an embodiment, the cabinet 205 may beportable. For example, the cabinet 205 may include wheels 265.

A specimen drawer 245 may be included in the cabinet 205. The cabinet205 may be configured for the specimen drawer 245 to extend from andretract into the cabinet 205 for user access. In an extended state,illustrated at 245 a, a user may deposit, retrieve, and/or adjust aspecimen in the specimen drawer 245. In an embodiment, the specimendrawer 245 may be extendable and/or retractable at a position in thecabinet 205 at an average user height H1 from the base 260 and/or thewheels 265. This allows the user to handle the specimen relative to thespecimen drawer 245 in an ergonomic manner. That is, the user does nothave to uncomfortably bend and/or reach to access the specimen,improving user accessibility and comfort, and reducing potentialmusculoskeletal injury to the user from operating the specimenradiography system 200.

In the retracted state, illustrated at 245 b, the specimen drawer 245 isbrought into alignment along the vertical axis 240. The specimen drawer245 may be movable between the x-ray source 230 and the x-ray detector235 along the vertical axis 240, as illustrated at 245 c. The specimendrawer 245 may be movable in a downward vertical motion to sit atop thex-ray source 230 or the x-ray detector 235 at the base 260 of thecabinet 205. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a tissue specimen 270 maybe disposed between a focal point 275 of the x-ray source 230 and animage plane 280 of the x-ray detector 235. The specimen drawer 245 maybe automatically positioned between the x-ray source 230 and the x-raydetector 235, so that a tissue specimen 270 is rotatable in a directionshown by arrow 250 to produce orthogonal views and/or multipleprojections. This is advantageous because from these additional rotatedviews, a three-dimensional (3D) data set of the tissue specimen may begenerated. It should be understood that although the x-ray source 230may be disposed above the x-ray detector 235, in some embodiments thex-ray detector 235 may be disposed above the x-ray source 230.

The specimen drawer 245 may be rectangular, or any shape configured tobe extendable from and movable within the cabinet 205. In embodiments,the specimen drawer 245 may be circular, cylindrical, or conical. Thespecimen drawer 245 may have a depth so that a tissue specimen 270 iscontained within the specimen drawer 245, thereby preventing leakage inthe cabinet 205 and/or contamination of the tissue specimen 270. In anembodiment, the specimen drawer 245 may include a lid.

The specimen drawer 245 may be configured out of a material that x-raysmay pass through, e.g., a carbon fiber material and/or other generallyradiolucent material. The specimen drawer 245 may be configured to beleak-proof, washable, and/or sterilizable so that it may be easilycleanable between specimen samples without having to clean the entireinterior of the cabinet 205, thereby reducing the time needed for thescanning operation and increasing user efficiency.

The controller 220 may automatically control the position of thespecimen drawer 245 relative to the x-ray source 230 and the x-raydetector 235, receiving information by a user from the user interface215. For example, the user may desire a series of images of a scannedtissue specimen 270. The controller 220 may direct the specimen drawer245 to the desired positions along the vertical axis 240 between thex-ray source 230 and the x-ray detector 235, without the user having tomanually move the tissue specimen 270. This automatic control of theposition of the specimen drawer 245 allows the user to receive thedesired images in a repeatable manner without having to manually adjustthe tissue specimen 270. Time needed for scanning a tissue specimen 270is also reduced because the specimen drawer 245 may be driven to theposition(s) immediately without user interference. Alternatively, inresponse to user input or preset settings, the specimen drawer 245 maybe automatically positioned for various views including variousmagnification views. One or more sensors may optionally be used toensure that the central vertical axis 240 of the specimen drawer 245 isaligned with the focal point 275 of the x-ray source 230 (FIG. 2A).Alternatively, user input or preset settings may shift the specimendrawer 245 such that the tissue specimen 270 is always positionedgenerally about the focal point 275.

The cabinet 205 may include known positioning mechanisms for moving andpositioning the specimen drawer 245, including but not limited totracks, conveyors, and/or pulley mechanisms. The positioning mechanismsmay be controllable by the controller 220, and include sensors or otherdetection means for determining the position of the specimen drawer 245relative to the x-ray source 230 and the x-ray detector 235. Thecontroller 220 may relate the relative position of the specimen drawer245 to the x-ray source 230 and/or the x-ray detector 235 to a desiredmagnification of an image of the tissue specimen 270.

The housing 255 of the cabinet 205 may include an opening for thespecimen drawer 245 to extend from, for user access. The opening may bea cut-out of the housing 255, and may include a cover, or door. The doormay be sealable so that radiation is contained within the cabinet 205.The door may have a locking mechanism so that the door cannot be openedduring scanning to ensure user safety.

In operation, a user may operate the radiography scanning system 200 viathe user interface 215. For example, the controller 220 may direct thespecimen drawer 245 to extend from the cabinet 205. Once in the extendedposition 245 a, the user may place a tissue specimen 270 in the specimendrawer 245 and direct the specimen drawer 245 to retract within thecabinet 205. In an embodiment, a sensor may detect the tissue specimen270 and retract in response to the sensor. For example, the sensor maybe a vision and/or weight sensor to detect presence of the tissuespecimen 270.

The specimen drawer 245 including the tissue specimen 270 may beretractable within the cabinet 205. For example, the controller 220 maycontrol the specimen drawer 245 to eject from an opening of the cabinet205 to receive a tissue specimen 270, and retract back into the cabinet205. The specimen drawer 245 may then be aligned along the vertical axis240, so that the specimen drawer 245 is aligned between the x-ray source230 and the x-ray detector 235. For example, the controller 220 mayautomatically align vertical axes of the specimen drawer 245 with thefocal point 275 of the x-ray source 230 so that the tissue specimen 270is aligned with the focal point 275 (FIG. 2A). One or more sensors maydetect the tissue specimen 270 with respect to the focal point 275 toensure proper alignment. In some embodiments, the controller 220 maydisable imaging unless and until the vertical axes of the specimendrawer 245 are properly aligned with the x-ray source 230 and the x-raydetector 235. This may be advantageous to increase the quality andrepeatability of the imaging.

The radiography scanning system 200 may scan the tissue specimen 270 andthe specimen drawer 245, by the controller 220 generating signals to thex-ray source 230 and the x-ray detector 235. The specimen drawer 245 maybe scanned in one or more positions along the vertical axis 240. Thescanned image of the tissue specimen 270 is a function of the positionof the specimen drawer 245 along the vertical axis 240. For example, adistance from the x-ray detector 235 to the specimen drawer 245 relatesto a magnification of the tissue specimen 270 in the scanned image.

One or more positions for the specimen drawer 245 along the verticalaxis 240 may be pre-programmed in the controller 220 to receive apre-selected set of magnifications of the tissue specimen 270, which maybe stored in a memory of the controller 220. A user may select thepre-programmed positions, and/or may enter desired magnifications ofimages.

The specimen drawer 245 is then moved to a desired location, e.g., shownat 245 c. The x-ray source 230 may then send x-rays to the x-raydetector 235, capturing an image of the specimen disposed between. Theimage may then be shown on the display 210, and/or stored in the memoryof the controller 220.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram 400 of a method of scanning aspecimen in a specimen radiography system is shown. At step 405, thespecimen drawer is extended from a cabinet of the specimen radiographysystem. The controller may direct specimen drawer, from a program storedin a memory of the controller, from user input, or a combinationthereof. At step 410, the user may place the specimen in the extendedspecimen drawer. At step 415, the specimen drawer is positioned along avertical axis in the cabinet. The specimen drawer is movable between anx-ray source and an x-ray detector. At step 420, the specimen is imagedwith the x-ray source and the x-ray detector, and at step 425, the imageof the specimen is shown on a display screen.

A specimen radiography system is often used in the operating room toverify that the entire lesion was removed during a lumpectomy. Thesespecimen are often large, and are sometimes comprised of dense tissue.In addition, if the lesion is comprised of dense tissue, a traditionalspecimen radiography system may not properly determine if the specimenincludes cancerous tissue. An example of a specimen is shown in FIGS. 5Aand 5B where the specimen is shown to have a lesion in the center thatis surrounded by margin. It is very important to be able to properlyassess that the entire lesion was removed by determining whether themargins of the lesion are clear. The surgeon wants to minimize theremoval of healthy tissue while removing the entire lesion. To make surethe margins are clear in a three-dimensional specimen the entirety ofthe perimeter would need to be images. Traditional specimen containerssuffer from the shortcomings of specimens being distorted in the viewingtray, for example, because traditional specimen containers may compressthe specimen. If the specimen is compressed, it could damage or thin outthe specimen and can artificially expand the margins of the specimen.Other short comings include that the surgeon must manually manipulatethe specimen container by turning the specimen container to capturemultiple images and make sure that the entirely of the lesion is removed(FIG. 5B). This takes time and by moving the specimen holder margins toan orthogonal position the specimen could be distorted and the surgeonwould not be able to properly assess whether the entire lesion isremoved. Therefore, a system that overcomes such shortcomings isdesired.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 5C-6G, there are included multiple methodsand mechanisms for obtaining omni directional views of the specimen.That is these systems allow for viewing of the specimen from a largerportion of the perimeter without distorting the specimen, by forexample, moving both the specimen container and the x-ray sourcerelative to each other, moving the x-ray source and the x-ray detectorrelative to the specimen or including multiple detectors and sources.

Referring now to FIGS. 5C and 5D, a radiography scanning system 500according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Thesystem 500 may include a cabinet 505, with an x-ray source 530 and anx-ray detector 535. The x-ray detector 535 may be disposed below thex-ray source 530. In an embodiment, the x-ray source 530 is disposed ata top of the cabinet 505, and the x-ray detector 535 is disposed at abase 560 of the cabinet. In one example implementation, the size of thecabinet is approximately 29″×25″.

The x-ray source 530 and the x-ray detector 535 are aligned along avertical axis 540, so that the x-ray detector 535 may receive x-raysfrom the x-ray source 530 that travel through the specimen container585. In one example, the detector is a HDT detector.

Similarly to system 200, a specimen drawer 545 may be included in thecabinet 505. A user may deposit, retrieve, and/or adjust a specimencontainer 585 in the specimen drawer 545. The specimen container 585includes one or more samples collected by a user and placed into thecontainer 585 after the specimens are excised from the patient. Thespecimen drawer 545 and the specimen container 585 may includeconnection or contact point or mechanisms that allow the specimencontainer 585 to attached to the drawer 545. For example, the bottom ofthe specimen container 585 and the top of the drawer 545 may include asnap fit design, having a male connection on the drawer 545 and a femalecounterpart on the container 585. Other methods of connection arecontemplated are within the scope of this application.

The specimen drawer is capable of being tilted while the specimencontainer is connected to it with respect to the vertical axis 540 andthe housing and base 560 of the cabinet 502. It is contemplated that theentire drawer can be titled or alternatively a portion of the drawer canbe titled. To tilt the drawer, many mechanisms can be implemented. Forexample, an electro-mechanical system or a hydraulic system can beimplemented that is actuated and controlled by a controller. The tiltingmechanism can for example include two cross-bars that are disposed underthe specimen drawer and which are alternatively extended and lowered.The rotation or the title of the specimen drawer is at a central point,the drawer and the specimen container does not translate along ahorizontal axis in line with the top of the detector.

Mechanisms for holding the specimen in place inside the specimencontainer are also contemplated. FIGS. 5E-5F show some examples ofspecimen containers 585. In FIG. 5E, the specimen is held by multipleattachment arms that extend diagonally from the corners of the containerto the center of the container. The specimen is located at the center ofthe specimen container 585 and is held in place at the center using theattachment arms. In FIG. 5F a cup is shown that hold the specimen inplace. The cup could be made from a foam material that resists movementof the specimen. In all embodiments, the specimen container is made ofradiolucent material that does not create artifacts when imaged usingthe x-ray source and x-ray detector. Other mechanisms for holding thespecimen in place are contemplated, including mesh materials, rings,tape, hammock type construction, and tube-like constructions as well asother methods which are within the scope of this disclosure.

The x-ray source 530 is also rotated between position A shown in FIG.5AC and position B in FIG. 5D. Position A is at an angle with referenceto the vertical axis 540. In one example, a radial guide track 590 couldbe used to allow the x-ray source 530 to travels along the radial guidetrack 590 from position A to position B. The x-ray source 530 can thenbe rotated into any number of positions and angles along the path of theradial guide track 590. In one example, a stepper motor and drive beltcould be used to move the x-ray source along the path. In anotherembodiment, the x-ray source is connected to a single elongated arm 590a. The elongated arm is centrally pivoted and the x-ray source isrotated in an arc around a central pivot point. Alternatively, the x-raysource can be linearly translated along the length of the cabinet tophaving a linear conveyer like translation mechanism and a portion of thex-ray source can then be tilted at an angle once it reaches the desiredposition. In examples the path or the arc of rotation of the x-raysource may span anywhere from positive 90 degrees about the target tonegative 90 degrees (with 0 degrees being aligned with the vertical axis540 and +/−90 degrees orthogonal to the vertical axis 540).

The specimen drawer 545 and/or the specimen container 585, and the x-raysource 530 can be connected to the controller for control the movementof the specimen drawer 545 and/or the specimen container 585, and thex-ray source 530. In one example, the control of the specimen drawer 545and/or the specimen container 585, and the x-ray source 530 can becontrolled via the arm assembly and/or the tilting mechanism asdescribed above. Both the arm assembly and/or the tilting mechanism mayinclude a motor that translates a signal from the controller into motionof the arm assembly and/or the tilting mechanism.

In one embodiment, the specimen drawer 545 is tilted into a directionopposite the rotation of the x-ray source 530, with respect to thevertical axis 540, the specimen drawer facing away from the source. Forexample, if the specimen drawer 545 is rotated in the positivedirection, the x-ray source 530 is rotated into the negative directionas shown in Position A. Similarly, if the specimen drawer 545 is rotatedin the negative direction, the x-ray source 530 is rotated into thepositive direction as shown in Position B. The x-ray source 530 canactivated for a particular exposure time as the x-ray source 530 movesinto the imaging position A, and exposure is repeated with the imagingposition B, a total cycle period lasting seconds. After each exposurethe x-ray source 530 is deactivated. In each of the imaging positions Aand B, the contents of the x-ray detector are read out and stored.

In one example of use of the system, the specimen drawer 545, includingthe specimen container 585, is movable +/−15° in a plane in reference tothe vertical axis 540 and the x-ray source is rotated +/−30° in a planein reference to the vertical axis 540 and in reference to the specimendrawer and container. In one example, the x-ray source 530 is rotated+30 deg and the specimen drawer is rotated −15 deg and an image istaken. Then the x-ray source 530 is rotated −30 deg and the specimendrawer 545 is rotated +15 deg and another image is taken. The resultantimages taken of the specimen would be +45 deg and −45 deg. In thisembodiment, the x-ray detector 535 is stationary and is not moved whileboth the specimen drawer 545 and the x-ray source 530 are rotated. Bykeeping the x-ray detector 535 stationary greater image quality can beachieved. Any other angles of rotation for both the specimen containerand the x-ray source are contemplated.

The images taken at position A and position B are then the viewed sideby side on the display. By taking more than one image at differentangles, more information about the specimen can be obtained. Forexample, slices advantageously reduce or eliminate problems caused bytissue overlap and structure noise in two-dimensional mammographyimaging Various imaging algorithms may additional be used to reducedistortion and clean up the resultant images.

It is appreciated by the inventors, that in order to obtain optimalimage quality, the specimen inside the specimen container should remainstationary. Any change to the specimen inside the specimen containercould result in imaging artifacts, including blurring of the image.Large specimens, such as those excised as a result of a lumpectomy, maybe particularly at risk of moving during imaging while the specimencontainer is being moved. The density or thickness of the specimen canbe obtained by using ultrasound and imaging the specimen in the specimencontainer prior to taking the images at various positions, includingPosition A and Position B. Based on the determination of the thickness,the controller can then control the angle of rotation of both the x-raysource and the specimen drawer. In one example implementation, if thespecimen is over a threshold of a particular thickness, the rotationangles are lowered in order to minimize specimen movement. In anotherexample implementation, a table of multiple thicknesses corresponds toparticular angles of rotation, with larger angles for thinner samplesand smaller angles corresponding to larger samples.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, a radiography scanning system 600according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Thesystem 600 may include a cabinet 605, with an x-ray source 630 and anx-ray detector 635. The x-ray detector 635 may be disposed below thex-ray source 630. In one example implementation, the size of the cabinet605 is approximately 32″×25″.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the x-ray source 630 is disposedat a top of the cabinet 605, and the x-ray detector 635 is disposed at abase 560 of the cabinet. Similarly to system 500, a specimen drawer 645may be included in the cabinet 605. The specimen drawer 645 may bedisposed between the x-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector 635. Inthis embodiment, both the x-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector 635are rotated around the specimen drawer 645. The specimen drawer 645and/or the specimen container can be configured to move from Position Ato Position B to Position C. The specimen container is placed at thecenter of the vertical axis 540, proximate the x-ray detector inposition A. In one example, an arm assembly 690 may be connected to thecabinet, via an articulating arm. The arm assembly may include a “C”shaped arm, which includes the x-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector635 placed opposing the x-ray source 630 that travels along the “C”shaped arm from position A to position B. The x-ray source 630 is canthen be rotated into any number of positions and angles along the pathof the C shaped arm. The rotation point of the arm assembly could belocated closer to the detector to counter balance the weight of thedetector in comparison to the lighter weight of the x-ray source.

The x-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector 635 can be connected to thecontroller for control the movement of the x-ray source 630 and thex-ray detector 635. In one example implementation the x-ray source 630and the x-ray detector 635 can be connected to the controller via thearm assembly 690. A signal from the controller can be translated intoinstructions to move the arm assembly which then translated the motionto the x-ray detector and the x-ray source.

In example use of the system 600, in Position A, the x-ray source 630and the x-ray detector 635 with respect to the vertical axis 540, arenot moved and remains at 0 deg. The x-ray source is then activated andan image is taken. The x-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector 635 arethen moved together into Position B, at 90 deg. with respect to thevertical axis 540, where the x-ray source is activated.

Inventors appreciate that imaging in position B could potentially resultin magnification artifacts. In order to reduce artifacts, the specimencontainer 685 could be moved horizontally towards the x-ray detector 635to be placed closer to the x-ray detector 635. In one embodiment, thespecimen drawer 645 may include mechanical assembly that allows for thespecimen drawer to be moved to the position closer to the x-ray detector635 in Position C. In one embodiment, a conveyor belt would translatethe specimen container linearly in the horizontal direction. In anotherembodiment, a central platform having a horizontal section where thecontainer is placed and a vertical arm could be translated into movementalong the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, a first image istaken at Position A and a second image is taken at Position C.

Referring now to FIGS. 6D and 6E, a radiography scanning system 600 daccording to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Inone example implementation, the size of the cabinet is approximately31″×25″. In example use of the system 600 d, as shown in FIGS. 6D and6E, in Position A, the x-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector 635 areboth rotated to be placed at a first angle with respect to the verticalaxis 540. The x-ray source is then activated and an image is taken. Thex-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector 635 are then moved together intoPosition B, at a second angle with respect to the vertical axis 540,where the x-ray source is again activated. Similar to FIG. 6C, to reduceartifacts, the specimen container 685 and the specimen drawer could bemoved as close as possible to the x-ray detector 635. In one embodiment,the specimen drawer 645 may include mechanical assembly that allows forthe specimen drawer to be moved to the position closer to the x-raydetector 635. It is noted that the specimen drawer 645 may be smallerand span less than the entire width of the cabinet in order to allowmore room for the detector to be rotated into position B. For example,the mechanical assembly may be attached to the back of the cabinet. Theimages taken at position A and position B are then stored and processedand are then both displayed to a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 6F and 6G, a radiography scanning system 600 faccording to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Inthis embodiment, there are two x-ray sources 630 a and 630 b, where 630a is disposed at a top of the cabinet 605, and 630 b is disposed at theside of the cabinet 605 along the horizontal axis 640. Two x-raydetectors 635 a and 635 b are disposed in the cabinet 605. The x-raydetectors 635 a is disposed at a base of the cabinet and the x-raydetector 635 b is disposed at the side of the cabinet 605 opposite thex-ray source 630 b, along the horizontal axis 640. The specimen drawer645 is included in the cabinet 605 and is disposed between both thex-ray sources 630 a and b and the x-ray detectors 635 a and b. AtPosition A, shown in FIG. 6F, the specimen drawer 645 is disposedproximate the x-ray detector 635 a. In this embodiment, the x-raysources 630 a, b and the x-ray detectors 635 a,b are stationary. InPosition B, the specimen container and the specimen drawer 645 movehorizontally, as described with reference to FIG. 6C, so that thespecimen container is positioned proximate the x-ray detector 635 b.

In example use of the system 600 f, as shown in FIGS. 6F and 6G, inPosition A, the x-ray source 630 and the x-ray detector 635 arestationary and the specimen drawer is moved to be proximate to the x-raydetector 635 a The x-ray source 630 a and x-ray detector 630 b are thenactivated and an image is taken. The specimen drawer is then moved alongthe vertical axis to position B, the specimen container 685 is moved tobe proximate to the x-ray detector 630 b. The x-ray source 630 b andx-ray detector 630 b are then activated. The images taken at position Aand position B are stored and processed and displayed on a display.

Note that with reference to FIGS. 5C-D and 6A-G, although the x-raysources and detectors may be shown outside of the cabinet, thoseelements are located within the cabinet.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram 700 of a method of scanning aspecimen in a specimen radiography system is shown. At step 702, thespecimen drawer is extended from a cabinet of the specimen radiographysystem. The controller may direct specimen drawer, from a program storedin a memory of the controller, from user input, or a combinationthereof. At step 702, the user may place the specimen in the extendedspecimen drawer, and the drawer is positioned is positioned along avertical axis in the cabinet. At step 704, the specimen is imaged withan x-ray source and an x-ray detector at a first position. The firstposition could be the Position A in any of the FIGS. 5C, 6A, 6D, and 6Fdescribed above. The first position could include rotating or moving thex-ray source, the specimen drawer, the specimen container, the x-raydetector or a combination thereof as described above. The image receivedat the first position is stored as a first image. At step 706, thespecimen is imaged with an x-ray source and an x-ray detector at asecond position. The second position could be the Position B or C in anyof the FIGS. 5D, 6B, 6C, 6E, and 6G described above. The second positioncould include rotating or moving the x-ray source, the specimen drawer,the specimen container, the x-ray detector, or a combination thereof asdescribed above. The image received at the second position is stored asa second image. At step 708, the first and the second image of thespecimen are processed. At step 710, the first and the second image ofthe specimen are shown on a display screen.

Some embodiments of the disclosed system may be implemented, forexample, using a storage medium, a computer-readable medium or anarticle of manufacture which may store an instruction or a set ofinstructions that, if executed by a machine (i.e., processor ormicrocontroller), may cause the machine to perform a method and/oroperations in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. Inaddition, a server or database server may include machine readable mediaconfigured to store machine executable program instructions. Such amachine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform,computing platform, computing device, processing device, computingsystem, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may beimplemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software,firmware, or a combination thereof and utilized in systems, subsystems,components, or sub-components thereof. The computer-readable medium orarticle may include, for example, any suitable type of memory unit,memory device, memory article, memory medium, storage device, storagearticle, storage medium and/or storage unit, for example, memory(including non-transitory memory), removable or non-removable media,erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or re-writeable media, digitalor analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read Only Memory(CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable(CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, removablememory cards or disks, various types of Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), atape, a cassette, or the like. The instructions may include any suitabletype of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code,executable code, static code, dynamic code, encrypted code, and thelike, implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level,object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programminglanguage.

As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular andproceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as notexcluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion isexplicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of thepresent disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding theexistence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recitedfeatures.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specificembodiments described herein. Indeed, other various embodiments of andmodifications to the present disclosure, in addition to those describedherein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from theforegoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such otherembodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope ofthe present disclosure. Furthermore, although the present disclosure hasbeen described herein in the context of a particular implementation in aparticular environment for a particular purpose, those of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto andthat the present disclosure may be beneficially implemented in anynumber of environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, theclaims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadthand spirit of the present disclosure as described herein.

What is claimed is: 1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A specimen radiography systemcomprising: a cabinet comprising: an x-ray source defining a focalpoint; an x-ray detector defining an image plane, wherein the x-raysource and the x-ray detector are aligned relative to one another abouta vertical axis; a specimen drawer configured to support a tissuespecimen; and a door allowing access through an opening of the cabinetfor the specimen drawer, wherein the specimen drawer is at leastpartially movable through the opening when the door is open, and whereinthe specimen drawer is selectively positionable along the vertical axiswithin the cabinet and between the focal point and the image plane; anda controller operably coupled to the x-ray source and the x-ray detectorand configured to image the tissue specimen, wherein the position of thespecimen drawer along the vertical axis defines a magnification of theimage of the tissue specimen.
 19. The specimen radiography system ofclaim 18, wherein the x-ray source is positioned above the x-raydetector in the cabinet.
 20. The specimen radiography system of claim18, wherein the controller is operably coupled to the specimen drawersuch that the position of the specimen drawer along the vertical axis isat least partially automatically controlled.
 21. The specimenradiography system of claim 18, wherein a central vertical axis of thespecimen drawer is aligned with the focal point of the x-ray source. 22.The specimen radiography system of claim 18, wherein the magnificationpositions of the specimen drawer are pre-defined.
 23. The specimenradiography system of claim 18, wherein the cabinet is supported onwheels.
 24. The specimen radiography system of claim 18, furthercomprising a display and a user interface, both operably coupled to thecontroller.
 25. The specimen radiography system of claim 24, wherein thedisplay and the user interface are supported on the cabinet.
 26. Thespecimen radiography system of claim 18, wherein the controllerautomatically controls the movement of the specimen drawer through theopening of the cabinet.
 27. The specimen radiography system of claim 18,wherein the movement of the specimen drawer through the opening of thecabinet is orthogonal to the vertical axis.
 28. A method of imaging atissue specimen in a specimen radiography system, the method comprising:supporting the tissue specimen with a specimen drawer of a cabinet;moving the specimen drawer through an opening of the cabinet when a dooris open such that the tissue specimen is received within the cabinet;positioning the specimen drawer relative to a vertical axis definedbetween a focal point of an x-ray source and an image plane of an x-raydetector; imaging the tissue specimen, using a controller operablycoupled to the x-ray source and the x-ray detector, wherein the positionof the specimen drawer along the vertical axis defines a magnificationof the image of the tissue specimen; and displaying the image on adisplay operably coupled to the controller.
 29. The method of claim 28,wherein the step of moving the specimen drawer through the openingoccurs prior to the step of positioning the specimen drawer relative tothe vertical axis.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein imaging thetissue specimen includes positioning the x-ray source above the x-raydetector in the cabinet.
 31. The method of claim 28, further comprisingcontrolling, by the controller operably coupled to the specimen drawer,the position of the specimen drawer along the vertical axis.
 32. Themethod of claim 28, further comprising controlling, by the controlleroperably coupled to the specimen drawer, the movement of the specimendrawer through the opening of the cabinet.
 33. The method of claim 32,wherein the movement of the specimen drawer through the opening of thecabinet is orthogonal to the vertical axis.
 34. The method of claim 28,wherein moving the specimen drawer through the opening includes aligninga central vertical axis of the specimen drawer with the focal point ofthe x-ray source.
 35. The method of claim 28, wherein the magnificationpositions of the specimen drawer are pre-defined.
 36. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the cabinet is supported on wheels, and wherein themethod further comprises moving the cabinet in position for imaging. 37.The method of claim 28, wherein the display is supported on the cabinet,and wherein displaying the image occurs on the cabinet.